Track for electrical toy vehicle



Sept. 19, 1961 3,000,573

F. E. scHLAu TRACK FOR ELECTRICAL TOY VEHICLE Filed sept. 16, 1959 9 l x F16. 9 se INVENTCR.

90 F. E. scHu as /Y f 7., M-

FIG, Ii ATTORNEY 3,000,573 TRACK FUR ELECTRICAL TOY VEHICLE Floyd E. Schlau, Moline, Ill., assignor to Strombeek- Becker Mfg. Co., Moline, Ill. Filed Sept. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 840,273 13 Claims. (Cl. 23S-10) This invention relates to an electrical toy and more particularly to an improved track to be followed by the toy.

The invention pertains particularly to that class of electrical toy in which a road bed or base, made up of interconnected sections, establishes a track or circuit on which the vehicle runs, the vehicle being guided by a follower that runs in an appropriate groove in the track and the electrical pick-up being accomplished by providing the track with a pair of electrical conductors and the vehicle with brushes which run or travel along the conductors to supply a small electric motor in the vehicle. Toys of this character differ mainly from the conventional electrical railroad in that the vehicle runs directly on a road bed which simulates a highway and does not have anged wheels as in the case of typical railroad cars. Although vehicles of the type under consideration are known, problems still remain to be solved in the provision of simple and economical track means. Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved track of the character referred to. More particularly, the invention has for a principal object the provision of an improved track including a follower-receiving groove flanked by a pair of electrical conductors, the base or simulating road bed being formed of an electrically nonconducting material, such as plastic or the like, and the conductor strips being thin strips of metal appropriately secured to the road bed at the top thereof to be available for contact by the brushes or pick-up means on the vehicle. A further object of the invention resides in improved means of mounting the conductor strips on the base or road bed. Further objects reside in means for interconnecting adjacent sections of road bed; improved means for establishing electrical connection to a source of appropriate electrical voltage; improved means for locking the interconnecting sections of road bed together; and such other objects and features as will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheet of drawings, the several figures of which are described below.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a track section as embodied in a double or dual unit.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of one of the conductor strips.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section, on a slightly enlarged scale, as seen generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a slightly enlarged bottom view of a track section, showing associated track sections in dotdash lines.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevation, slightly enlarged, as seen in the direction of the arrows on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section, as seen generally along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan, partly in section, showing some of the details of the interlocking extension and pocket means, together with the locking key.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective of a terminal connectible to one of the conductor strips.

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FIGURE l0 is a perspective of the locking key as seen from one end thereof.

FIGURE ll is a perspective of the locking key as seen from the opposite end thereof.

The track section chosen for the purposes of illustration is a dual section; that is to say, it is a two-lane highway or road bed and is preferably symmetrical from side to side. If each half is considered separately, it may be regarded as a single lane highway, in which the invention may be typically embodied. However, the two lanes illustrated have more practical application and are therefore chosen by way of illustration. The section illustrated basically in FIGURES 1 and 4 comprises a base 20 having a top or highway surface 22, a bottom or under side 24 and may further be regarded as having front and rear ends, the expressions front and rear being used as terms of description and not of limitation. The base is preferably a one-piece structure of molded or other wise formed electrically non-conducting material, a good example of which is any of the wel-l-known styrene plastics. The overall nature of the base is generally box-like, with suitable reinforcing ribs or intermediate walls. In the example shown, opposite outer sides of the base, which may be regarded as running fore-and-aft, are established by fore-and-aft upright walls 26 and a central or intermediate fore-and-aft upright wall 28. The boxlike base, as best seen in FIGURE 4, is essentially open, this construction being preferred because it affords adequate strength, combined with light-weight and low-cost production.

The front end of the base may be regarded as that at which forward extensions 30 project as integral parts of the base. Looking now at FIGURE 4 and regarding the base as represented by a one-lane highway, it will be seen that the opposite sides of the base may be regarded as delineated by the walls 26 and 28, the front end by the extensions or prongs 30 and the rear end by la transversely straight rear end portion 32 in which are formed a pair of rearwardly facing forwardly extending pocket means 34. These are best seen in FIGURE l as facing forwardly, but, as stated above, the section in FIGURE l is a dual section and it must be recognized that a pair of pocket means 34 are provided at the right hand end of the figure respectively in fore-and-aft alinement with the extensions 30.

The top 22 of the base is provided with a fore-and-aft groove or channel 36 which runs from one end thereof to the other. The extensions 30 are laterally spaced apart to afford therebetween a space 38 which is a continuation of the groove 36. Likewise, the two pocket means 34 are spaced laterally apart, being separated by an intervening channel section 40 of the base structure (FIG- URE 5).

The rear pocket means 34 `are provided by yrear portions 42 of the top 22 and transverse bottom wall portions 44, the two wall portions just referred to being `spaced apart vertically to afford the pocket means. The pocket means is substantially closed at its forward end by a transverse upright wall 46. The junction between the base proper yand each of the extensions 30 is established by a transverse front upright wall 48, and suitable triangular bracing ribs 50 are used to add strength and rigidity.

As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 7, the vertical dimension of each extension 30 is reduced and the vertical thickness of each extension 30 is on the order of the vertical dimension of the pocket means 34. One reason for this is that the set of extensions 30 on one base section is receivable in the corresponding pocket means 34 on a neighboring section, as will be clear from IFIG-v URE 4. In the two-lane system shown in FIGURE 1,

the extensions 30 at one end are symmetrically disposedV as respects the extensions 30 at the opposite end. This improves the interlocking relationship -among the several interconnected sections that are joined to establish the complete circuit. Another reason for the vertical dimensioning of theextensions yLW is that each extension -is then provided with an upper portion or surface 52 which is offset below the level orplane of the base top 22. This enables adjacent sections to be joined end-to-end without crevices or projections, it being understood that the molding operation in which the base sections 4are formed is typically a precision process. As will be seen, each extension 3i) has its corners yformed in tapered fashion to facilitate insertion into the pocket means of the neighboring base section.

The single-lane base is provided with a pair of foreand-aft recesses 54, oneat each side o-f and spaced outwardly from the groove 36. In the two-lane system, there will, of course, be four such recesses. Each recess is adapted to carry therein a thin metallic strip, which forms an electrical conductor. This strip is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 56 and there are two strips for each groove, one at each side of the groove. The depth of each recess 5'4 is substantially equal to the thickness of the strip received thereby, whereby the top surface of each strip is ush with the top surface of the base top 22.

Each strip 56 is preferably yadhered in its respective groove 54 by a suitable adhesive, many examples of which are known for bonding metal to plastic. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, each strip 56 has a special shape, including a forward portion 58 which is downwardly offset to correspond to the downward offset between the top 52 of the extension 30 and the top of the base. Each offset or extension `58 has a depending tongue 60, and each base extension 30 has therein a slit 62 which receives the associated tongue 60.

Further than this, each strip 56 has a rear end portion 64 in the form of a hook-like part directed downwardly at 66, then forwardly at 68 and then downwardly at an angle as at 74).l This portion hooks under the rear wall portion 42 for the associated pocket so that the forwardly directed part GSis contained within the pocket. The associated wall 46 is apertured at 72 (FIGURE 5) to receive the angled extension 70. The strip, being formed of metal, is inherently resilient, especially in the rear portion 68-70 so that when the extensions 30 are inserted into the pockets 34 of an adjacent base section, a proper electrical contact is made in each case. The aperture 72 which receives the corresponding angled extension 70 is slightly larger than the extension in cross section so as to permit a limited amount of flexing of the extension. In other words, the aperture 72 and its dimensions relative to those of the section 68 establish means limiting downward displacement of the section or portion 68, for purposes to presently appear. The assembled `relationship of the two base sections is best shown in FIGURE 7, wherein it will be seen that the downwardly offset portion `58 of the strip on one base is in electrical contact with the pocket-received portion 68 of the strip on the neighboring base. Although it will be clear, it might be well to mention at this point that when the several bases are assembled, the grooves 36, in the case of a one-lane system, establish a continuous or circuitous groove. In the case of a multiple-lane system, there will be as many continuous grooves :as there are lanes. The precision molding characteristics of the base sections guarantee that the assembly will be free from crevices and undesirable offsets, it being a feature of the structure that the Strip 56 is offset at 53 to accomplish this end. In the case in which the base has the recesses 54 for the strip 56, t-he extension 30 will be correspondingly recessed, which will be clear without `further description. The anchoring of each strip 56 by means of its hooked rear end 64 and its oiset and tongued front end (at `60), together with the adhering of the strip to the base, insures a sturdy yet inexpensive product capable of being mass-produced.

The end-to-end strips in the assembled lane system are connected into an appropriate electrical circuit, which may be typically transformed down to a suitable low voltage, in any manner not material here, by a plurality of electrical wires. In this case, there are a pair of Wires 74 for each pair of conductor strips 56. 'Ihe end of each wire 74 is provided with a terminal or connector 75, best shown in FIGURES 7 and 9. Each terminal or connector is of relatively thin metallic stock and is capable of being inserted between the undersurface of the top wall portion 42 and the conductor portion 68, the angled portion 70X permitting easy insertion and the combination of the pressures applied by the extensions 39 and connectors 76 serving to retain the terminals or connectors in place as well as improving the electrical contact among the terminal 76 and conductor portions 58 and 68. Each terminal or connector is appropriately soldered or otherwise connected to the end of its associated wire 74.

FIGURE 4 shows an arrangement in which the wires 74 are appropriately retained in place so as to afford a neat arrangement. For this purpose, one of the outer walls 26 of the base has therein a plurality of wire-receiving notches 73 which are so constructed and shaped as to retain the Wires. The intermediate wall 28 may be similarly formed as at 80 and comparable structure is provided at 82 in one of the channel ribs 40. This arrangement enables the location of the wires beneath the base and improves the overall attractiveness of the system.

Although the end-to-end it between adjacent sections, via the extensions 3i) and cooperating pocket means 34 may be regarded as adequate, because of the frictional nature thereof, it is often desirable to provide positive locking means. For this purpose, one extension 30 at each corner of the base is provided with a lateral outwardly opening slot 84 therein, and the corresponding corner at the rear of the base section has therein a lateral outwardly facing opening S6. When one base section is assembled relative to another, the opening 86 at one end of one section lines up laterally with the slot 84 in the associated extension, and the two aligned portions are adapted to receive a locking key 88, best illustrated in FIGURES 8, l0 and 1l. Each key is rigidied in structure by the provision thereon of a triangular integral portion 90 which is shaped to correspond to the cut-olf corner portion of the associated extension 30.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a novel and improved track has been provided for the purposes outlined. The track is simply and inexpensively constructed and is durable as well as attractive. Long life is assured by the particular mounting of the conductor strips 56 on each base section. The improved interconnection of the sections by the end-to-end extensions and associated pocket means assures an interconnected circuit that is free from electrical interruptions and is also free from structural defects. Features other than those categorically enumerated will readily occur to those versed in the art, as will many modifications and alterations in the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed, all of which may be achieved without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy track of the class described, comprising: a base of electrically non-conducting material having front and rear ends, opposite sides, a top and a bottom and including in its top a fore-and-aft groove extending from end-to-end thereof, said base having at its front end a pairof laterally spaced apart extensions providing between them a space affording a forward continuation of said groove, each extension being of reduced vertical dimension so as to have an upper portion offset below the level of the base top, and said base having at its rear end a pair of rearwardly facing, forwardly extending pocket means spaced laterally apart according to and dimensioned on the order of the extensions so as to be capable of receiving forwardly therein similar extensions on another base, each pocket means being delined at its top by a transverse wall portion of the base top, said wall portion being of a vertical thickness on the order of the vertical offset between the base top and the upper portions of the front extensions; and a pair of electrical conductor strips running fore-and-aft on the base top, one at each side of the groove, each strip having a front end portion offset downwardly and projecting forwardly to overlie the respective extension, and each strip having a downwardly and forwardly directed hook-like rear end portion hooking under the respective transverse wall portion and entering the respective pocket means.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the top of the base has a pair of fore-and-aft recesses, one for each strip and each recess having a depth on the order of the thickness of its strip so that the strips are generally ush with said base top.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: each strip has at its front end portion a downwardly directed tongue and each extension has a slit therein receiving the respective tongue.

4. The invention defined in claim l, in which: the strips are adhered to the base top.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the hook-like portion of each strip has a forwardly and downwardly directed resilient projection underlying the respective transverse wall portion and capable of upward deection by the insertion of an extension on another similar base.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, in which: the base has at its bottom means for limiting downward displacement of said resilient projections.

7. The invention defined in claim 5, including: an electrical connector receivable at the bottom of the base between the resilient projection of one strip and the proximate wall portion.

8. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the front extension at one side of the base has an outwardly opening slot therein and the same side of the base at the rear end thereof has an outwardly opening slot disposed symmetrically as respects said extension slot.

9. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: at least one side of the base is in the form of a fore-and-aft upright wall having at least one opening therein for receiving an electric wire connectible to a conductor strip from below at its rear end portion.

10. A top track of the class described, comprising: a base of electrically non-conducting material having front and rear ends, opposite sides, a top and a bottom and including in its top a fore-and-aft groove extending from end-to-end thereof, said base having at its front end a pair of laterally spaced apart extensions providing between them a space affording a forward continuation of said groove, each extension being of reduced vertical dimension so as to have an upper portion offset below the level of the base top, and said base having at its rear end a pair of rearwardly facing, forwardly extending pocket means spaced laterally apart according to and dimensioned on the order of the extensions so as to be capable of receiving forwardly therein similar extensions on another base, each pocket means being defined at its top oy a transverse wall portion of the base top, said wall portion being of a vertical thickness on the order of the vertical offset between the base top and the upper por- 7 tions of the front extensions; and a pair of electrical conductor strips running fore-and-aft on the base top, one

at each side of the groove, each strip having a front end portion oset downwardly and projecting forwardly to overlie the respective extension and adapted for electrical contact with the rear end portion of a similar conductor Strip on a forwardly adjacent similar base as said extension is received in the pocket means of such similar base, and each strip having a rear end portion proximate to the respective rear pocket means adapted for electrical contact with the front end portion of a similar conductor strip on the `extension of a rearwardly adjacent similar base.

11. The invention dened in claim 10, in which: the strips are adhered to the base top.

12. A toy track of the class described, comprising: a base of electrically non-conducting material having front and rear ends, opposite sides, a top and a bottom and including in its top a fore-and-aft groove extending from end-to-end thereof, said base having at its front end a pair' of laterally spaced apart extensions providing between them a space affording a forward continuation of said groove, each extension being of reduced vertical dimension so as to have an upper portion offset below the level of the base top, and said base having at its rear end a pair of rearwardly facing, forwardly extending pocket means spaced laterally apart according to and dimensioned on the order of the extensions so as to be capable of receiving forwardly therein similar extensions on another base, each pocket means being defined at its top by a transverse wall portion of the base top, said wall portion being of a vertical thickness on the order of the vertical offset between the base top and the upper portions of the front extensions; and a pair of electrical conductor strips running fore-and-aft on the base top, one at each side of the groove, each strip having a front end portion extending forwardly onto the associated base extension and adapted for electrical contact with the rear end portion of a similar conductor strip on a forwardly adjacent similar base as said extension is received in the pocket means of such similar base and a rear end portion extending into the associated pocket means adapted for electrical contact with the front end portion of a similar conductor strip on the extension of a rearwardly adjacent similar base.

13. A toy track of the class described, comprising; a base of electrically non-conducting material having front and rear ends, opposite sides, a top and a bottom and including in its top a fore-and-aft groove extending from end-to-end thereof, said base having at its front end a forward extension of reduced vertical dimension so as to have an upper portion offset below the level of the base top, and said base' having at its rear `end a rearwardly facing, forwardly extending pocket means positioned and dimensioned `on the order of the extension so as to be capable of receiving forwardly therein a similar extension on another base, said pocket means being defined at its top by a transverse wall portion of the base top, said wall portion being of a vertical thickness on the order of the vertical offset between the base top and the upper portions of the front extensions; and an electrical conductor strip running fore-and-aft on the base top alongside the groove and having a front end portion offset downwardly and projecting forwardly to overlie the extension, and said strip having a downwardly and forwardly directed hooklike rear end portion hooking under the transverse wall portion and entering the pocket means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,403 Ekstrom Jan. 19, 1937 2,143,195 Kahn et al. Jan. 10, 1939 2,647,693 Carver Aug. 4, 1953 

